Book Review: Dead Fake by Vincent Ralph | A Nostalgic YA Thriller with a Modern AI Twist
Dead Fake completely transported me back to my Christopher Pike reading days in the 90s when I devoured teen thrillers as fast as I could get my hands on them. It also gave me strong Fear Street vibes in the best possible way—especially that feeling that absolutely no one is safe, not even the supporting characters.
There was even a little bit of a Scream feel to it, though not in a campy slasher sense. Instead, it captured that unsettling "there is something wrong with this town" atmosphere that makes a setting feel almost like a character itself.
As the first book set in Bleak Haven, this was a fantastic introduction to the series. I connected with Ava immediately and found myself invested in her story from the very beginning. The pacing is fast without ever becoming confusing or overwhelming. The story simply keeps moving, revealing just enough to keep the tension high while never leaving the reader behind.
One of my favorite aspects was the mystery surrounding what really happened ten years ago and the lingering question of whether he actually did it. That uncertainty hangs over the entire story and creates a sense of unease that never really lets up.
I also loved the blend of modern AI technology with an old-school teen horror feel. It made the story feel fresh while still delivering everything I loved about the thrillers I grew up reading.
The cast of characters was wonderfully done, and the mystery kept me guessing. In fact, I was enjoying myself so much that I eventually stopped trying to solve it and simply enjoyed the ride.
I picked up the first two Bleak Haven books because I wanted to experience the series from the very beginning before diving into the final two installments, which I'll be reviewing as ARCs. After finishing Dead Fake, I'm even more excited to continue the journey through Bleak Haven and see where Vincent Ralph takes these characters next.
Rating: ★★★★½ (rounded up to ★★★★★)
You can see my review for Goodreads here:
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